Marine Science Vocabulary Terms
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
A
Abiotic - non-living (physical or chemical component of the environment
Aboral surface - the area of an animal located by the anus
Abyssal gigantism - phenomena where animals attain a large size no found anywhere but in the deep sea
Abyssal Plain - the nearly flat region of the sea floor
Abyssopelagic - an area of the pelagic environment at an approximate depth of 4,000 m - 6,000 m. This area is aphotic
Acipenseridae - taxonomic family which contains the sturgeons
Acoelomate – animals lacking a true internal body cavity The region between the body wall and the gut is solid (occupied by mesoderm)
Acontia - structures used as defense in many species of anthozoans. Usually loaded with nematocysts
Acropomatidae - taxonomic family which contains the wreckfishes
Actinopterygii - subclass of fishes which contains the ray-finned fishes
Adductor muscle - found in bivalves and is responsible for closing the valves
Adipose fin - fatty fin which lacks bony rayed supports, found in the salmonids and synodontids
Aerobic respiration - respiration in the presence of oxygen
Ahermatypic corals - corals which are non-reef building
Ambergris - collected indigestible found in the digestive tract of sperm whales, often used in fine perfumes
Ammocoete - larval stage of the sea lamprey which lives a secretive life filter feeding buried in the sediment
Amoebozoa - phylum of protozoans (not covered in class)
Ampullae of Lorenzini - gel filled pit in the rostrum of cartilaginous fishes used to sense weak electrical currents
Anadromous - fishes which spend their adult life in water and migrate freshwater to spawn
Anaerobic respiration - respiration in the absence of oxygen
Anguilliformes - taxonomic order which contains 15 different families of true eels
Animalia - multicellular, heterotrophs (kingdom)
Antennariidae - taxonomic family which contains the frogfishes
Anthozoa - class in the phylum Cnidaria which contains the corals and sea anemones
Apex predators - top predators
Aphotic - complete and total darkness
Archeocytes - phagocytic cells found in sponges which aid in digestion, also give rise to sperm and eggs
Asexual reproduction – replication of chromosomes and the splitting of the parent into two or more parts. Asexual reproduction occurs in some invertebrates and is the only method for a few
Asymmetrical – have no ordered symmetry pattern to the organisms' gross morphology
Atherinidae - taxonomic family which contains the Silversides
Aulostomidae - taxonomic family which contains the Trumpetfishes
Authigenic sediment - particles that are precipitated by chemical or biochemical reactions in seawater near the sea floor. (i.e. Manganese and phosphate nodules)
Autotroph - an organism that manufactures its own organic matter by using energy from the sun or other sources
Azoic theory - A theory first proposed by Edward Forbes which stated that no life existed on the sea bed below 300 fathoms (1,800 ft). This theory was later proved incorrect
B
Back-island flats - barrier island features which are sand deposits shaped like pancakes or lobes. These areas are usually created by washover or overwash
Baleen - material found in the upper jaw of baleen whales used for straining food during the feeding
Balistidae - taxonomic family in the order Tetraodontiformes which contains the Filefish & Triggerfish
Barrier islands - large deposits of sand that are separated from the mainland by bays, estuaries, or lagoons These bodies of water are regularly flushed through tidal inlets
Bathypelagic - area of the pelagic environment at an approximate depth of 1,000 m - 4,000 m. This area is aphotic
Batrachoididae - taxonomic family which contains the toadfishes
Belonidae - taxonomic family which contains the Needlefishes
Benthic (benthos) - sea bottom
Berm - a prominent wave deposited feature of most beaches; accumulation of sand having a flat top and steep seaward slope.
Beroida - order of ctenophores
Bilateral symmetry – right and left sides that are mirror images of each other
Binary fission – a type of asexual reproduction that results in two individuals
Binomial nomenclature - a system of naming species using two names, the first of which refers to the genus
Biogenic sediment - derived from the hard parts of organisms such as shells and skeletal debris (i.e. - calcium carbonate and silicon dioxide
Bioluminescence - light which is produced by living organisms
Biotic - a living component of the environment (i.e. predation, competition)
Bivalvia – class of molluscs which contains clams, mussels, oysters, and shipworms
Blenniidae - taxonomic family which contains the Blennies
Bothidae - taxonomic family in the order Pleuronectiformes which contains the Left-eye flounders
Bottomset beds - sediments of the prodelta which are composed of several layers of silts and clays
Brackish - body of water where fresh and salt water mix, creating an area of varying salinity
Breakwaters - man made structures built as barriers in front of harbors or shorelines. Usually built offshore parallel to the beach or harbor mouth and absorb the pounding of the sea
Budding – portion of the parent breaks off and differentiates to form a new complete individual (a type of asexual reproduction)
Byssal threads - filamentous structures which mussels secrete and use for attachment
C
Calcarea - class of sponges. Spicules are made strictly of calcium carbonate
Cannibal viviparity - reproductive method favored by predatory sharks. Young in each oviduct consume unfertilized eggs or other siblings during development
Capillary waves - smallest waves, have a period > 1/10 of a second Created on a flat day by a brief gust of wind
Carangidae - taxonomic family which contains the Jacks
Carapidae - taxonomic family which contains the pearlfishes
Carnivora - taxonomic order which contains the Polar bears, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and walruses
Carnivores - eat meat
Carrying capacity - the largest population or community size that can be sustained by an ecosystem is called its
Catadromous - reproductive strategy where fish live most of the lifecycle in freshwater and migrate to saltwater to spawn. I.e.: American eel
Celerity - term used for the velocity of a wave form
Cephalic lobe (beard) - The anterior portion of pogonophorans that contains thousands of ciliated tentacles and a gland that secretes a chitinous tube
2. Functional limbs on the head used for directing plankton
Cephalochordata - subphylum which contains the lancelets or amphioxus
Cephalofoil - term used when referring to the head of hammerheads
Cephalspidomorphi - taxonomic class which contains the lampreys
Cephalopoda – class of molluscs which contains squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and chambered nautilus
Cerata - respiratory projections on the dorsal surface of sea slugs
Cestoda - class of parasitic tapeworms in the phylum platyhelminthes
Cetacea - taxonomic order which contains Whales, dolphins, and porpoises
Chaetodontidae - taxonomic family which contains the Butterflyfishes
Chemoautotrophs - organisms which use chemicals in the synthesis of nutrients
Chinese liver fluke - parasite which is found in the bile duct. Originates from eating raw fish
Chitin - complex carbohydrate that is the main component of the skeleton of many invertebrates
Chondrichthyes - taxonomic class which contains the cartilaginous fishes
Chop – locally generated waves, have a period of 1-10 seconds
Chronometer - a time piece which was frequently used in the 1700's to determine the longitude of vessels at sea
Choanocytes - flagellated cells that are responsible for creating currents in feeding sponges (synonym: collar cells)
Chromatophore - specialized cell which are used to change the color of a given animal
Ciguatera - condition caused by the ingestion of toxic fish flesh, found mainly in the tropics Symptoms include neurological dysfunction, exhaustion, visual disturbance, inversion of senses, paralysis, loss of reflexes, and death. Causative organism is a dinoflagellate called Gambierdiscus toxicus which can bloom in high numbers
Ciliophora - phylum of protozoans that contains the ciliates (i.e. paramecium)
Cladogram - a pictorial representation used to illuminate evolutionary relationships
Classification - the system used in grouping organisms based on their structural and biochemical similarities
Clitellum - pronounced cylindrical glandular region of the body that plays an important role in reproduction of oligochaetes
Clupeidae - taxonomic family which contains herrings, shads, sardines, and menhaden
Cnidaria - phylum which contains the true jellyfish, hydroids, sea anemones and corals
Cnidoblast - cells that contains and creates nematocysts
Cnidocil - trigger that projects form the tip of an undischarged nematocysts
Coast - a large zone which is affected by the ocean processes. This boundary Includes marshes, sand dunes, cliffs inland of the shore and sand bars and troughs immediately offshore
Coelomate - have a true coelom. Fluid-filled cavity lying between the outer body wall and the gut is lined with tissue derived from the mesoderm
Coevolution - the predator evolving in response to adaptations of the prey, or vice versa
Cold core rings - form to the east of the stream spin counterclockwise and have cores filled with sea water derived from outside the Sargasso sea
Collar Cell - flagellated cells that are responsible for creating currents in feeding sponges (synonym: choanocytes)
Colloblasts
- sticky retractile tentacle used to catch prey
Commensalism - relationship where one animal derives a benefit from a host without causing significant harm
Community- several populations, which occur in an area
Competition - refers to the interaction between organisms for a necessary and limiting resource
Conjugation - sexual reproduction used by paramecium
Constructive wave interference – crest and troughs coincide resulting in a building up of the crest and the deepening of the trough. This sometimes results in a rogue wave
Continental Shelf - the shallow gently sloping section of the continental margin that extends from the shore to the point where the slope gets steeper
Continental Slope - the steeper seaward section of the continental margin
Contractile vacuole - removes excess water to keep osmotic balance in the paramecium and other protozoans
Controlled Experiment - additional variables that might affect the experiment are under the control of the researcher
Copepods - the primary herbivores in the sea; dominate plankton net collections. Belong to the phylum Arthropoda
Coquina rock - naturally occurring rock in southeast North Carolina which is composed of compressed sandstone
Corer - hollow metal tube pushed into the sediment. Upon retrieval the core is extracted intact and stored for future analysis
Coryphaenidae - taxonomic family which contains the Dolphinfish
Cosmogenous sediment - tiny grains that originate from outer space and tend to be mixed into terrigenous and biogenic sediment
Countershading - method of camouflage used by fishes, the dorsal side is a dark blue, and the ventral surface is a pale white
Countercurrent exchanger - network of closely associated capillaries found in their circulatory system, which permits some fishes to be slightly warm-blooded (Increased swimming efficiency) synonym (rete mirabile)
Crainovertebral joint - joint between the cranium and vertebra which allows for an increased gape and larger prey items
Crepuscular period - time of day with low light conditions, i.e: dawn and dusk
Crystalline style - digestive rod found in some bivalves, used for digestion
Ctenidia - comb-like molluscan gills which have cilia. Used for respiration and food collection
Ctenophora - phylum containing the comb jellies
Cubozoa - class of cnidarians which contains the box jellies
Cydippid larvae - larvae of ctenophores
Cynoglossidae - taxonomic family in the order Pleuronectiformes which contains the Tonguefish
Cytoproct - a permanent site in the cell wall of paramecium where waste is eliminated
Cytostome - associated with the oral groove in paramecium and helps in creating food vacuoles which digest food and distribute it in the cytoplasm
D
Dactylozooids - polyps found in hydroid used for defense
Declination - depending on the angle between the earth's axis and the moon
Deep scattering layer - area of the water column where mesopelagic animals concentrate. This group of animals migrates vertically each night towards surface waters
Deep-water waves – bottom interactions are absent since the wave base is above the sea floor
Delta front - grades seaward from the delta plain and is essentially the shoreline
Delta plain - flat lowland that lies above sea level and is drained by a network of tributaries. Usually composed of sequences of flat-lying beds of sand and mud. Collectively referred to as topset beds
Demersal - concerning the bottom. Animals that are associated with the bottom but do not live on it. I.e. cods
Demospongiae - class of sponges. Spicules are made of silicon dioxide
Deposit feeders - an animal that feeds on organic material on or in the bottom (i.e. polychaete)
Desiccation - drying out, or dealing with water loss
Destructive wave interference – the crest of one wave coincides with the trough of another wave, if the two waves are of equal size it results in a cancellation
Detritus - broken down organic material
Deutrostomes - embryo development type which includes the bryozoans, echinoderms, and chordates
Dextral coiling - gastropod shell that coils to the right
- Dextral - term used when referring to right-eyed flounders
Diatom - unicellular phytoplankton that can form large colonial groups, test is made of silicon dioxide
Diodontidae - taxonomic family in the order Tetraodontiformes which contains the Porcupinefish
Dioecious - the parents are of 2 different sexes
Diploblastic - organisms that have two distinct germ (cell) layers
Dispersion (Wave) - waves begin to sorting themselves according to celerity, this process produces a regular swell
Disphotic - marginal amounts of light, not enough for photosynthesis to occur
Diurnal - tidal cycle which has 1 high tide and 1 low tide per day
Dive Reflex - physiological responses that diving marine mammals undergo during deep dives
Doldrums - rising air at the equator
Dune field - barrier island feature with the regular or irregular formation of dunes due to sea breezes blowing wind landward
E
Echeneididae - taxonomic family which contains the Sharksuckers and Remoras
Echolocation - precise SONAR system used by marine mammals for locating prey and navigation
Ecology - The science that treats the interrelationships existing between organisms and their environments and among other groups of organisms
Ecosystem - a series of communities and the surrounding environment
Ectoderm - outer layer or skin
Ectoparasites - parasites which occur externally
Ectothermic - organisms which have an internal body temperature that conforms to the environment (synonym: poikilotherm )
Ekman spiral - model of the effect on water of wind blowing over the ocean. Due to the Coriolis effect the net transport of water in the northern hemisphere is ninety degrees to the right
El Nino - a southward-flowing nutrient poor current of warm water off the coast of western South America, caused by a breakdown of the trade wind circulation
Elasmobranchii - subclass of Chondrichthyes which contains the sharks, skates and rays
Elopidae - taxonomic family which contains tarpon and ladyfish
Endoderm - inner layer of cells
Endoparasites - parasites which occur internally
Endothermic - organisms which regulate their internal body temperature regardless of the environment (synonym: homeotherm) )
Engraulidae - taxonomic family which contains the anchovies
Ephippidae - taxonomic family which contains the Spadefish
Epidermis - outer layer or skin
Epifauna - animals that lives on the bottom
Epipelagic - the pelagic environment from the surface to a depth of 100-200 meters
Epitokes (epitoky) - individuals that are found in the annelids, theses organisms are given the task of reproduction. Some individuals bud epitokes from the body and remain in the habitat
Equatorial low pressure - intense heating and high moisture content makes the air less dense. Rising air produces a convergence at the surface into which air flows and rises.
Equilibrium (k-selected) - animals with long life spans, long development time to reach sexual maturity and few reproductions per year.
Esca - modified lure which is used by frogfishes and goosefishes to entice prey. Usually attached to an illicium
Eukaryote - cells which contain membrane bound organelles and a distinct nucleus
Euryhaline - animals which can tolerate a wide range of salinities. Antonym: stenohaline
Eversible proboscis - structure with jaws at the end that can extend out of the body
Evolution - a change in the genetic makeup of a population; occurs when natural selection favors some individual characteristics over others
Exocoetidae - taxonomic family which contains the Flyingfishes and Halfbeaks
Experiment - an artificially created situation that is used to test a hypothesis
Extant - living species
F
Fecundity - term used when referring to a female's reproductive output
Fetch - the area which wind blows, creating waves
Filter feeder - an animal that feeds on suspended organic material by actively moving water through its tissue (i.e. sea squirt)
Fistulariidae - taxonomic family which contains the Cornetfishes
Flame bulbs - structures that are found in the protonephridia that are used to clean the blood
Fluke - fin used to propel marine mammals through the water
Foraminifera - phylum of protozoans which contains animals that dominate the benthos and have tests made of calcium carbonate
Foresets - the delta front which is composed of thick sands and silts. The foresets grade into the prodelta
Fugu - delicacy in Japan prepared by specially licensed chefs which originates from the meat of puffers
Fundulidae - taxonomic family which contains the Killifishes
Fungi - kingdom of multicellular organisms, no photosynthesis, nutrition by absorption (i.e. Mushrooms)
G
Gadidae - taxonomic family which contains the cods and hakes
Gametes - reproductive products (i.e. - sperm and eggs)
Ganglia - several nerve cells that have fused together to form a primitive central processing area
Gastrodermis - inner lining of the digestive system (synonym: endoderm)
Gastropoda - class of molluscs which contains snails and slugs
Gastrozooids - polyps found in hydroid used for feeding and digestion
Gemmules - created by freshwater sponges and used as seeds to create new sponges after a period of dormancy
Geostrophic flow - a current in balance between the Coriolis deflection and gravity or pressure gradient
Germ layer - a group of cells that behave as a unit during embryonic development and give rise to distinctly different tissue/organ systems as an adult
Gerreidae - taxonomic family which contains the Mojarras
Glacial till - unsorted deposits of boulders, gravel, sand, and mud
Gobiidae - taxonomic family which contains the Gobies
Gonochoristic - the parents are of 2 different sexes (synonym: dioecious)
Gonozooids - hydroid polyps used for reproduction
Groins - man made structures built on barrier islands which are much smaller and cheaper than jetties. Perpendicularly positioned on eroding beaches to trap sand artificially and promote accretion
H
Habitat - the environment where an organism occurs; habitat can vary in temperature, salinity, tides, and currents
Hadalpelagic - an area of the pelagic environment at an approximate depth of 6,000 m - 10,000 m. This area is aphotic
Haemulidae - taxonomic family which contains the Grunts
Halocline - an area in the water column of rapidly changing salinity
Heliozoa - phylum of protozoans, strictly freshwater (not covered in class)
Herbivores - eat strictly producers
Hermaphrodites - an animal that has both male and female sex organs
Hermatypic - corals which are reef building
Hemichordata - subphylum which contains the acorn worms
Heterocercal - caudal fin where one lobe is larger than the other. Many sharks use this arrangement for added lift
Heterotroph - an organism that obtains energy from organic matter
Hexactinellida - class of sponges. Spicules are six pointed and have a lattice-like structure (made of silicon dioxide)
High pressure zone - is where air pressure is higher than in surrounding area because of cooling or lower moisture content
Hirudin - chemical excreted by the salivary glands of leeches which prevents the blood from coagulating
Hirudinea - class of annelids which contains the leeches
Hjulstrom diagram - graph which shows the average current velocities for erosion, transportation and deposition
Holdfast - structures which algae use for attachment to substrate
Holocentridae - taxonomic family which contains the Squirrelfishes
Holocephali - subclass of Chondrichthyes which contains the ratfishes or chimaeras
Holoplankton - spend their entire life in the plankton. Includes: ctenophores, copepods, isopods, and amphipods
Homeotherm - organisms which regulate their internal body temperature regardless of the environment (synonym: endothermic)
Homocercal - caudal fin where both lobes are of equal size. Ideal for providing the maximum amount of thrust
Horse latitudes - sinking air at 30° N and 30° S
Hydrostatic skeleton - a fluid system permitting muscles to be stretched and return back to their original length following a contraction
Hydroida - order in the class Hydrozoa in the phylum Cnidaria. Contains the hydroids
Hydrothermal vents - communities found in areas of geological activity where cracks in the earth's crust release sulfides or methane. Communities with a reliance on chemosymbiotic bacteria colonize these deep sea habitats
Hydrozoa - class of cnidarians which contains the hydroids
I
Ichthyology - the scientific study of fishes
Illicium - a modified dorsal spine used in goosefishes and frogfishes. An esca is located on the tip and is use to entice prey
Infauna - animals that live in the bottom
Infralittoral - the lower intertidal, exposed to air twice a month during spring low tides
Internal waves - occur in a stratified water column and travel a very slow speeds. Periods are measured in minutes, wavelengths in hundreds of meters and the waves can reach sizes of 330 feet
Interspecific - in between two different species
Intertidal - the area from the highest high tide to the lowest low tide (synonym: littoral)
Intraspecific - within the same species
Istiophoridae - taxonomic family which used to contain the Billfishes (currently listed as a sub-family)
J
Jetties - man made structures built to prevent the deposition of sediment in harbor mouths, estuaries, or tidal inlets
K
Keystone species - a single species, which has a controlling effect on the community in which it lives.
L
La Nina - the intensification of normal Pacific atmospheric and oceanic circulation
Labial palps - structures found in bivalves, which are responsible for sorting food material before it enters the mouth
Labridae - taxonomic family which contains the Wrasses
Labriform swimming - swimming method used by the labrids. Flapping of the pectoral fins
Lamniformes - taxonomic order which contains the typical sharks. I.e.: Megamouth, white, blue, nurse, hammerhead, basking, etc.
Langmuir circulation - a series of parallel , counter-rotating circulation cells with long axes aligned to the direction of wind flow
Larvae - independent morphological stages that arise from fertilized eggs. Must undergo profound changes before becoming an adult
Lateral line - rows of small tubes or pores which are sensitive to pressure changes (vibrations in the water)
Lecithotrophic larvae - larvae that posses a yolk-sac and generally spend a shorter duration in the plankton. Also, produced in fewer numbers than planktotrophic larvae
Leptocephalus larvae - Planktonic, thin and transparent larvae which is only used by the tarpon, ladyfish and Anguilliformes
Limiting resources - the resources which are in short supply are called
Littoral - the area from the highest high tide to the lowest low tide (synonym: intertidal)
Lobata - order of ctenophores
Longshore currents - currents that move parallel to the beach
Lophiidae - taxonomic family which contains the goosefishes
Lophiiformes - taxonomic order which contains the goosefishes and frogfishes
Low pressure zone - air density is lower than in surrounding areas because the air is warmer or has a higher moisture content.
Lutjanidae - taxonomic family which contains the Snappers
M
Mackerel Sharks - loose grouping of sharks which contains the Basking, Megamouth, White and Mako sharks
Macronuclei - cell nucleus that contains many copies of the genome and is responsible for day to day activities (found in paramecium)
Malacanthidae - taxonomic family which contains the Tilefishes
Mantle - the body wall that enclose the body cavity in most Molluscs
Meiofauna - animals that live in between sand grains
Melanophore - pigment spots which are common on larval fishes
Melon - fatty structure found on the head of echolocating marine mammals which focuses and directs sound waves
Meroplankton - spend only part of their life in the plankton. Includes various larval stages
Mesenteries - sheets of tissue which are used to partition the digestive cavity of cnidarians (synonym: septa)
Mesoderm - occurs between the endoderm and ectoderm. Found in triploblastic animals
Mesoglea - non living cell layer found in cnidarians, jelly consistency which can range from thick and fibrous, to almost absent
Mesopelagic zone - the pelagic environment from a depth of approximately 200 m to 1,00 m. This area of the water column is disphotic
Mesohyl - is non-living cell layer found in sponges and made of collagen. Contains living cells which are collectively referred to as mesenchyme cells
Metamerism (metameric segmentation) - repeating of the same structures in each segment. Found in annelids
Metamorphosis - abrupt morphological, physiological, and ecological change
Metazoan - multicellular organisms
Micronuclei - cell nucleus that has very little to do with the functions of the organism. Essential in sexual reproduction (found in paramecium)
Midlittoral - the true intertidal, the area from average high tide to average low tide. Contains the greatest diversity of animals in the intertidal
Mixed tides - two high and two low tides each day with different tidal ranges
Molidae - taxonomic family in the order Tetraodontiformes which contains the Molas or Sunfishes
Mollusca
- phylum of invertebrates which contains a diverse assemblage, i.e. - clams,
oysters, squid, limpets, whelks, and sea hares
Monera - kingdom of single celled, prokaryote organisms (i.e. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae))
Moronidae - taxonomic family which contains Striped Bass
Mugilidae - taxonomic family which contains the Mullets
Muller's larvae - larval stage of marine turbellarians (flatworms)
Multiple fission - a type of asexual reproduction that result in several individuals
Mustelidae - taxonomic family in the order Carnivora which contains the Sea otter
Mutualism - relationship where both members of the association benefit
Mysticeti - suborder in the taxonomic order Cetacea which contains the Baleen whales
Myxinidae - taxonomic family which contains the hagfish
N
Natural selection - production of offspring by the best-adapted individuals in a population
Naturalist - an individual who is concerned with the scientific study of nature. Commonly carried by ships in the 1700 and 1800's
Neap tide - lower than average high tide and higher than average low tide. Occurs twice a month during the first and third quarter of the moon
Nearshore current - currents that form due to wave-setup and move perpendicular to the beach
Nekton – animals that have the ability to oppose currents
Nematocysts - complex intracellular organelles (capable of stinging) of cnidarians that are used for feeding and defense
Neoteny - larval stages which develop mature gonads and reproduce instead of undergoing a metamorphosis into an adult
Nephridia - structure which are used to clean the blood and eliminate excretory waste (singular nephridium)
Neritic zone (coastal zone) - the pelagic environment above the continental shelf
Neuston - area of the water column or animals that live in the air/water interface
Niche - the role a species plays in the community
Nictitating membrane - structure found in predatory sharks that covers the eye for protection
Noctiluca - flagellated protozoan which is bioluminescence
Null hypothesis - the hypothesis which yields the default result. The hypothesis of no change
O
Oceanic zone- the area of the pelagic environment beyond the shelf break
Oceanic trenches - the deepest part of the world's oceans
Ocelli - used as light receptors in the jellyfish.
Ocellus - eye-like spots found on the caudal area of fishes used as a false eye to avoid head attacks by predators (plural: ocelli)
Odobenidae - taxonomic family in the order Carnivora which contains the Walrus
Odontoceti - suborder in the taxonomic order Cetacea which contains the Toothed whales
Olfaction - an animals sense of smell
Oligochaeta - class of annelids that is comprised of mainly earthworms
Omnivores - generalists have a diverse diet
Ontogeny - term used when discussing the different stages of an animals life history and different development stages
Operculum - proteinaceous shield on the foot of gastropods used to seal the shell shut
Ophidiidae - taxonomic family which contains the cusk-eels
Opisthobranchia - subclass of gastropods in the phylum Mollusca contains the nudibranchs and sea hares
Opisthosoma - the last body segment in the pogonophorans. Has many segments and septa like polychaetes, these anchor the animal in the tube
Opportunistic (r-selected) - animals with short life spans, rapid development to sexual maturity and many reproductions per year
Oral groove - found in paramecium and acts as the mouth of the organism
Oral surface - area of an animal located near the mouth
Oscules - (singular: osculum) large openings, which allow water to exit the sponge
Osmoconformers - animals which have an internal ionic concentration identical to the surrounding water
Osmoregulators - animals which have the ability to control the internal ionic concentration of their tissues
Osphradium - structure used by some molluscs to determine both the chemical and sediment content of the water
Ostia - (singular ostium) microscopic openings that allow water to enter the sponge
Osteichthyes - taxonomic class which contains the bony fishes
Ostraciidae - taxonomic family in the order Tetraodontiformes which contains the Boxfishes
Ostracitoxin - toxin found in the boxfishes which originates in special club cells in lips & causes agglutination of red blood cells in other fishes
Ostracoderms - the first group of fishes to appear on earth. Possessed large protective plates and lacked jaws
Otarridae - taxonomic family in the order Carnivora which contains the Sea lions or eared seals
Otolith - calcified structures found in bony fishes that are used for hearing. Fishery biologist can use these structures to determine age and growth rate
Oviparity - method of reproduction in which the female deposits eggs after fertilization. I.e. skates
Oxygen minimum layer - area of the water column with very little oxygen found between 500-1000 meters. This area is present due to animal respiration and lack of an interchange between water masses with oxygen rich water
P
Pallial line - area inside bivalve shells where the mantle attaches
Parapodia - lateral wings used for swimming in sea hares. Also, fleshly lobes which are supported by chitinous rods in annelids. Important in locomotion and respiration (singular: parapod)
Parasitism - the parasite benefits at a significant cost to the host
Pardaxin - chemical secreted by the Moses sole from the Red Sea which possibly repels sharks
Parenchyma - tissue that fills the space between the outer body wall and the endoderm of flatworms
Parenchymella - ciliated mouthless larva found in sponges
Parthenogenesis - eggs develop to adulthood in the absence of fertilization (some arthropods, and rotifers)
Pedal laceration - type of asexual reproduction in sea anemones. The base of the animal is separated from the body, each regenerating new animals
Pelagic - the area of the water column away from the ocean bottom
Pelagosphera - Large larvae (several mm.) that is long lived and can be dispersed over long distances, found in the sipunculans
Percichthyidae - taxonomic family which contains the striped basses and wreckfishes
Peristaltic muscle contractions - muscle contractions that move objects in a linear fashion down a tube
Petromyzontidae - taxonomic family which contains the lampreys
Phagocytosis - method of engulfing food most often used by amoeboid protozoans
Pharyngeal teeth - molarform teeth found in the throat of fishes used for grinding and creating sounds
Phocidae - taxonomic family in the order Carnivora which contains the Seals
Photophore - specialized organs which are responsible for producing light (see bioluminescence)
Physoclistous swimbladder - swimbladder which has special structures associated with the circulatory system A network of capillaries and gas gland allow the inflation and deflation of the swimbladder
Physostomous swimbladder - swimbladder which has a connection between the swimbladder and the gut. The swimbladder is inflated by gulping air at the surface and deflated by the relaxation of sphincter muscles causing a gas-spitting reflex. Usually found in ancestral soft-rayed fishes
Phytoplankton - the photosynthetic component of plankton consisting primarily of single celled algae and bacteria
Phylogenetic relationships - classification system based on evolutionary relationships
Pinnipedia - suborder in the taxonomic order Carnivora which contains the sea lions, seals, and walrus
Piscivore - eat strictly fish
Placental viviparity - Nutrients are supplied to the embryo directly from the mother via a umbilical cord
Placoderms - the first of group of fishes to possess well-developed jaws
Plankton - organisms that lack the ability to oppose wind and currents
Planktivorous - eat strictly plankton. I.e. herrings, anchovies, sardines, whale shark, and baleen whales
Planktotrophic larvae - larvae that are poorly prepared for life in the plankton. Lack a yolk-sac, and spend prolonged periods drifting in the plankton. Generally have a low survival rate
Plantae - multicellular, autotrophs (kingdom)
Planula larvae - ciliated larval stage found in the phylum Cnidaria
Plasmodium - protozoan that causes malaria
Pleuronectidae - taxonomic family in the order Pleuronectiformes which contains the Right-eye
Pleuronectiformes - taxonomic order which contains the Flatfishes
Plunging breaker – the wave steepens, curls, and collapses releasing the energy instantaneously. Found on steeper bottoms
Poikilotherm - organisms which have an internal body temperature that conforms to the environment (synonym: ectothermic)
Pogonophora - class of annelids that contains deep sea hydrothermal vent worms
Polar high pressure - cold, dry, dense air sinks to the surface and flows outward forming an area of divergence
Polychaeta - class of annelids which comprises the marine worms
Polygynous - sexual practice where males maintain a harem of several females for mating purposes
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - chemical reaction which makes copies of DNA that are created to examine changes in DNA
Polymorphism -animals that have more than one body morphology in the life cycle. Also, used when discussing different morphologies in a colonial animal
Polyplacophora - class of Molluscs which contains the chitons and limpets
Pomacanthidae - taxonomic family which contains the Angelfish
Pomacentridae - taxonomic family which contains the Damselfishes
Pomatomidae - taxonomic family which contains the Bluefishes
Population - all the species in a given area
Porifera - phylum which contains the sponges
Predation - is the act of one animal eating another
Priacanthidae - taxonomic family which contains the Bigeyes
Primary coasts - Rough and irregular coasts created by the scouring of glaciers, sediment deposits in the mouth of rivers, volcanic eruptions or the movement of the earth along faults
Prodelta - delta feature which occurs further offshore at the base of the foreset and is characterized by a flattened area. Composed of several layers of silts and clays collectively referred to as bottomset beds
Proglottid - the individual segment of a tapeworm, each containing both testes and ovaries
Prokaryote - primitive cells which lack membrane bound organelles and a distinct nucleus
Prosobranchia - subclass of gastropods in the phylum Mollusca which contains the shelled snails (i.e. - whelks, tulips)
Protandric - sequential hermaphrodite which changes from male to female (i.e. Eastern oyster)
Protogynous - sequential hermaphrodite which changes from female to male (i.e. Groupers)
Protostome - embryo development type which includes the annelids, molluscs, and arthropods
Protista - kingdom of single celled organisms, contains nucleus and internal subdivisions (i.e. dinoflagellates, foraminiferans radiolarians and protozoans)
Protonephridia - primitive kidneys
Pseudocoelomate - the region between the outer body wall and the endoderm is a fluid filled cavity
Pseudopodia - false feet which are formed in amoebas. Used for movement and prey capture
Pteraspidomorphi - taxonomic class which contains the hagfishes
Ptychodiscus - genus of a dinoflagellate that causes red tides
Pycnocline - an area in of the water column with a rapidly changing density
Q
Qualitative sampling - sampling techniques used for examining the species composition of a given area. Trawls and dredges are commonly used for this sampling technique
Quantitative sampling - sampling techniques used to examine densities and abundance. Grabs are a common sampling technique
R
Rachycentridae - taxonomic family which contains Cobia
Radial symmetry – can be divided into 2 approximately equal halves by any cut that passes through the center of the organism
Radiozoa - phylum of protozoans which contains the radiolarians. Tests are made of silicon dioxide
Radula - firm ribbon composed of chitin and protein which has two rows of sharp chitinous teeth. By moving in a rasp like fashion material is gathered (found only in Molluscs)
Rajiformes - taxonomic order which contains the skates, rays, guitarfish and manta rays
Ram ventilation - respiratory method found in fast moving fishes. The act of swimming, forces water across the gills. These fish will die if they stop moving
Refraction (Wave) - different celerity across one wave crest causes the wave to bend to the shape of the shoreline
Requiem Sharks - loose grouping of sharks which contains the Bull, Whitetip, Reef, Tiger, and Blue sharks
Rete mirabile - network of closely associated capillaries found in their circulatory system, which permits some fishes to be slightly warm-blooded (Increased swimming efficiency) synonym (countercurrent exchange system)
Rhopalia - structures found around the margin of jellyfish, which contains the ocelli and statocyst
River dominated delta - fed by strong flowing freshwater and continental sediments. These deltas form in protected seas and terminate in well defined tributaries a characteristic birds foot shape
Rogue waves - abnormally large waves which are usually created through constructive wave interference
Rostral ampullary organ - structure which is found in the nose region of sturgeon and are used to sense the weak electrical currents of prey
Rotary wave - tidal phenomena discussed in the dynamic model of tides. High and low tide which circles around a central point
S
Salmonidae - taxonomic family which contains the salmons, trouts, graylings, and whitefish
Salt marshes - low energy environments on the bayward side of the island where mud accumulates and salt marsh grasses grow
Sarcodinids - amoeboid protozoans, contains the foraminiferans and the radiozoans
Sarcopterygii - taxonomic subclass which contains the lobe-finned fishes (i.e.: Lungfish, coelacanth)
Sargasso sea - Found between the Bahamas and Azores. This is considered the center of the north Atlantic gyre
Saxitoxin - toxin released by dinoflagellates that cause red tides
Scaphopoda - class of molluscs that contains the tooth and tusk shells
Scaridae - taxonomic family which contains Parrotfishes
Schistosomiasis - disease caused by a fluke
Sciaenidae - taxonomic family which contains the Drums
Scientific method - set of procedures by which scientists learn about the natural world
Scolex - structure found in Cestodes that is studded with hooks or sucker to hold the animals position in the hosts gut
Scombridae - taxonomic family which contains the Mackerels
Scorpaenidae - taxonomic family which contains the Scorpionfishes, Pacific Rockfish and Ocean Perch
Scutes - raised scales found in the region of the caudal peduncle that increases the hydrodynamic efficiency of the caudal fin. Found in fast swimming fishes
Scyphozoa - class of cnidarians which contains the true jellyfish
Seawalls - man made structures built on the shore to protect beaches, roads, and bluffs
Secondary Coasts - are attacked and change by both processes from the land and the sea (i.e. barrier islands)
Sedentary - an organism that can move, but does such infrequently (i.e. clam)
Seiches – the back and forth sloshing of water in harbors, wave periods of tens of minutes to several hours (antonym: standing wave)
Semidiurnal tides - tidal cycle where there are 2 high tides and 2 low tides every day
Septa - sheets of tissue which are used to partition the digestive cavity of cnidarians. Also used to divide the body into segments in the annelids(synonym: mesenteries)
Sequential hermaphrodite - an animal which undergoes a sex change at specific size, social conditions or environmental conditions
Serranidae - taxonomic family which contains the Groupers and Sea Basses
Sessile - an organism that lives attached to one spot and does not move
Setae - structures found in the annelids associated with parapods. Can be sharp (protection), and aid in locomotion
Sexually dimorphic - the ability to determine sex through external characters, i.e.: size, color, or other structures
Shallow-water wave – bottom interactions are present since the bottom depth is less than ½ the wavelength
Shore - where the ocean meets land (i.e sandy beach)
Significant wave height – the average of the highest one third of all the waves present in an area
Simultaneous hermaphrodite - an animal which contains functional ovaries and testes
Sinistral coiling - gastropod shells that coil to the left
- Sinistral - term used when referring to left-eyed flounders
Siphonophora - order in the class Hydrozoa and in the phylum Cnidaria. Contains the Portuguese man-of-war
Sipuncula - phylum which contains the peanut worms
Sirenia - taxonomic order which contains the Manatees and dugongs
Sparidae - taxonomic family which contains the Porgies
Species – a reproductively isolated population of interbreeding organisms which produce viable offspring
Spermatophores - packets of sperm which are commonly used in invertebrates (i.e. squid, octopus)
Sphyraenidae - taxonomic family which contains the Barracudas
Spicules - hard skeleton structures of sponges, which can be made of calcium carbonate or silicon dioxide
Spilling breaker – the crest spills down the front of the wave continually breaking and losing energy across the surf zone. This is the most common type of breaker, which occur on sandy bottoms and a gentle sloping sea bottom
Spiracles - Openings on the head that bring water into the gill cavity. Method favored by skates and rays
Spiral valve - primitive adaptation which allows for increased digestive surface area in a compact digestive system
Spongocoel - the empty space of the sponge (main cavity)
Spring tide - higher than average high tide and lower than average low tide. Occurs twice a month during a new and full moon
Squaliformes - taxonomic order which contains the cookie cutter shark, dogfish, and angelsharks
Statocyst - found in the phylum Cnidaria. Used for orientation and as a pacemaker for bell contractions
Statolith - structure found in ctenophores that when used in conjunction with balancers helps determine the orientation of the animal
Stenohaline - animals which can only tolerate a narrow range of salinities. Antonym: Euryhaline
Stokes drift - the small amount of forward movement water makes through a passing wave
Stridulation - method used by fishes where pharyngeal teeth are used in creating grunt sounds, which are amplified by the swimbladder
Strobilation - the type of asexual reproduction which produces medusa in the scyphozoan lifecycle
Stromateidae - taxonomic family which contains the Butterfishes
Submarine canyon - a narrow , deep depression in the continental shelf formed by the erosion of rivers or glaciers before the shelf was submerged
Submarine ridge - underwater mountain range (i.e. Mid-Atlantic ridge)
Subtidal - the area from the lowest low tide to the deepest parts of the ocean
Succession - natural progression of communities
Suction feeding - method of feeding where the rapid opening of a large mouth draws a prey item into the predator's mouth
Supralittoral - upper intertidal (spray zone) covered with water twice a month during a spring tide
Surging breaker – flat low waves that never become oversteepened or break. Found in areas of the steepest beaches and much of the wave is reflected back into the sea (sea walls and sea cliffs)
Suspension feeder - an animal that passively feeds on particles suspended in the water column
Sverdrup - unit of measure = 1,000,000 m3/sec
Swash zone - the area of the sandy intertidal where the waves run up and down the beach
Swell – wave period of approximately 10-30 seconds
Swim Bladder - gas filled structure found in bony fishes used to counteract the density of their flesh. Allows control of buoyancy
Symbiotic associations - an association between two organisms
Syngnathidae - taxonomic family which contains the Sea Horses and Pipefishes
Synodontidae - taxonomic family which contains the lizardfishes
T
Tapetum lucidum - reflective layer found in the eyes of nocturnal fishes, allows increased vision at night
Terrigenous sediment - produced by the weathering and erosion of rocks on land; typically sand and mud. This is the most common sedimentary deposit
Tests - protective exoskeleton made of varying substances
Tetraodontidae - taxonomic family in the order Tetraodontiformes which contains the Puffers
Tetraodontiformes - taxonomic order which contains the the ocean sunfish, triggerfishes, filefishes, puffers, burrfishes and boxfishes
Thermocline - is an area in the water column of rapidly changing water temperature
Thunniform swimming - swimming method used by Scombrids. Propulsion is accomplished by the caudal fin only
Tidal bore - wall of surging water in narrow, confined areas
Tidal period - the time needed for one high and low tide
Tidal range - the vertical distance between high and low tide
Tide dominated delta - The strong ebb and flood of tidal currents takes sediment and places it into a long linear submarine ridge and islands that fan out from the river mouth
Topset beds - Flat lowland that lies above sea level and is drained by a network of tributaries Usually composed of sequences of flat-lying beds of sand and mud (i.e Delta plain)
Torsion - the process of the visceral mass of gastropods spinning 90-180 degrees
Trematoda - class of parasitic flukes in the phylum platyhelminthes
Triglidae - taxonomic family which contains the Searobins
Triploblastic - organisms that have three distinct cell layers (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm)
Trochophore - early larval stage of molluscs. Also similar larvae found in the annelids and sipunculans
Trophosome - structure that contains the major organs of pogonophorans. The trophosome of all species contains closely packed bacteria and play a crucial role in nutrition
Tsunamis - wave periods from minutes to tens of minutes associated seismic activity
Turbellaria - class of free-living flatworms in the phylum platyhelminthes
Turbidites - sediments that are deposited in the deep sea by currents moving quickly down the continental slope. These sediments are usually terrigenous sediments
Turbidity - the amount of solid particles suspended in the water column
Two pump respiration - found in slow moving or sedentary, bottom orientated fish. Respiration is accomplished by expansion and contraction of the buccal and opercular cavities
U
Unicellular – single cell (i.e. protozans)
Umbo - is the oldest part of the bivalve shell, located dorsally
Urns - specialized cells (found in sipunculans) that float in the coelom collecting waste products bringing them to a nephridia
Urochordata - subphylum which contains the tunicates (i.e. sea squirts)
Ursidae - taxonomic family in the order Carnivora which contains the Polar bear
Uterine Viviparity - mother secretes nutrient rich fluid (via uterus) which is taken up through the skin of the embryo. Common in Stingrays and Eagle Rays
V
Veliger larvae - secondary larval stage of some molluscs
Vertebrata - subphylum of animals which contains the vertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals
Vestimentiferan - members of the class pogonophora, deep sea hydrothermal vent worms
Volcanic islands - rise singularly out of ocean through volcanic action
Volcanogenic sediment - particles that are ejected from volcanoes; ash is an example
W
Walker circulation cell - circulation cell between a western Pacific low pressure and eastern Pacific high pressure
Warm core rings - form to the west of the stream, rings rotate clockwise and have a warm core of Sargasso sea water
Wave amplitude - half of the wave height, the distance the trough or crest distorts the level water surface.
Wave crest - highest point of a wave.
Wave dispersion - waves begin to sorting themselves according to celerity, this process produces a regular swell
Wave dominated deltas - These deltas have wave erosion and strong longshore currents that disperse the sediment away from the river mouth. This produces a relatively straight coast
Wave height - vertical distance between the crest and trough
Wave length - horizontal distance between two adjacent wave crests or wave troughs.
Wave period - time required for two successive wave crests to pass a fixed point.
Wave refraction - different celerity across one wave crest causes the wave to bend to the shape of the shoreline
Wave trough - lowest point of a wave
Western boundary intensification - due to the Earth’s rotation water is pressed against the western boundary of ocean basins. This squeezes the western arm of the gyre current and intensifies the current
X
Xiphiidae - taxonomic family which contains the Swordfish and Billfishes
Y
Yolk-sac Viviparity - Eggs are produced and retained inside the mother. Shell disappears and young are retained until fully developed. Synonym: Ovoviviparity
Z
Zooplankton - the heterotrophic animal and protozoan component of plankton
Zooxanthellae - dinoflagellate which forms a mutalistic relationship with reef building corals. Provides coral with energy through photosynthesis